our team

our team

keith arnold + stephanie boninfounders + owners (denver + vermont)Keith is the entrepreneur and visionary behind duo. Stephanie brings the passion and ingredient-focused drive to everything we do.Together we have cultivated a staff of wonderful and talented people working to make duo a locally and nationally acclaimed restaurant in the heart of Denver. We are thrilled to bring this vision to Main St. in Brattleboro, VT.

robert “bobby” rayburnGeneral Manager/ Partner (denver)Bobby started with our team in 2004 as a server at Cafe Colore, before joining the opening crew of duo in 2005 as our General Manager. Bobby brings a smart sense of hospitality and a fun loving energy to each shift. He is committed to his craft behind the bar and to the Denver restaurant scene.

tyler skrivanekexecutive chef (denver + vermont)Tyler has spent countless hours as a chef at duo Restaurant since December 2005. He has learned farm-to-table cuisine and built relationships with local purveyors. This experience, combined with his upbringing in Nebraska farmland, has allowed him to cultivate a working knowledge of food cycles and seasonality in the Rocky Mountain region.His other creative outlet is music and as a percussionist, “I can’t help but notice the similarities between a good menu and a good album. Each has their hits, B side and thoughtful arrangement. Just like an unforgettable album, my goal is to give our guests a full experience, from start to finish.”

dennis phelpsopening chef (vermont)Dennis began his career at duo Denver in 2005 under Chef John Broening. He moved on to be the Executive Chef de Cuisine at The Kitchen from 2007-2013 where he focused his culinary skills on creating farm-to-table cuisine. He is excited by the challenge of returning to duo and working with Stephanie & Keith. He moved across the country to enter into the chaos of opening a restaurant. He has been indispensable and has fallen in love with VT in the process. Update: Dennis has started his road trip back to the west. He will be missed.

andrew hunterchef de cuisine (vermont)Andrew has been fortunate to have some incredible positions during his tenure as a chef: Tom Colicchio’s Craft Restaurant , Charlie Palmer’s Restaurant in the Joule Hotel in Dallas, Tristan Restaurant in Charleston, SC, and the 4-diamond rated Manor on Golden Pond in Holderness, NH. However as a graduate of NECI, He has such an appreciation for Vermont and always had an eye towards returning someday. When the opportunity to become the Sous Chef at the highly rated Windham Hill Inn in West Townshend arose, he jumped at the chance to return to New England and Vermont. “I loved my experience there and now am ready for the new challenge of duo Restaurant. I can’t wait to showcase the fantastic Vermont and New England products that are available from our local farmers, fishermen, and foragers.”

tiffany leongsous chef (denver)Growing up as a first generation Chinese American, Tiffany’s life has and will always be centered around food. Her best memories as a child all come from the kitchen table. Gathered around the table in silence just enjoying the loud noises of family members sipping soup, slurping noodles, shoveling rice into their mouths and smelling those familiar smells that still make her smile today.“When the farm deliveries come in and menu changes for the season are being written it feels like Christmas! I love being so committed to our farms and their products and harvesting vegetables in our urban garden for a night’s service. What an incredible privilege it is to be able to walk into our restaurant with such variety and quality of ingredients to cook with and create a menu or an evening special.”Her hope is that our customers fall as much in love with our restaurant, our experience, creativity, and cuisine as she has.

crickett burnspastry chef (denver)At age 2 Crickett’s mom would sit her on the kitchen counter and let her season and spice what she was cooking. And thus grew a love for food that has never stopped growing. She has been honored to work at some of Denver’s finest; Rioja, Euclid Hall, The Truffle Table. Her passion for the last course comes from taking the love, creativity and technique behind the previous savory courses of the meal, and carrying it through to something balanced and beautiful. “I love this part of the meal for its ability to sustain the note that the meal has hit, and end it on a perfect note.”

melissa newellmanager (denver)Starting with her upbringing in rural Missouri, Melissa was immersed in a culture that engrained in her a set of beliefs rooted in community and local agriculture. Melissa went on to study nutritional sciences and environmental science, and eventually owned a farm-to-table restaurant for several years before working as harvest manager at a biodynamic farm in Boulder County. Melissa enjoys the opportunity to be at duo where this philosophy of responsibility and attention to the procurement of ingredients results in food that is not only beautiful, but illustrates a simple elegance that lets the integrity of the ingredients always shine. Her other passion lies in wine, specifically those that are small-production, terroir-driven, and with a story. At duo, she loves the chance to help guests create an artful pairing between food and wine that totally enhances their dining experience.

scott raderstorfpartner (denver + vermont)Scott has spent his life in technology and brings his passion of living life to the fullest to the duo team in both locations. He is always the host and being an entrepreneur in his own right allows him to be the perfect sounding board. He brings wisdom to the team.

john broening + yasmin lozada-hissomfounding chef & pastry chef (denver)Thank you so much to John Broening & Yasmin Lozada-Hissom who helped us create, build, and execute our restaurant duo. As a team we opened duo in October 2005 and we still appreciate their talents and friendship today.